Questions about the Parable of the Evil Husbandmen

Questions only

QUESTION 1

The Parable of the Evil Husbandmen of the Vineyard appears in St Matthew's
Gospel (21:33-44), and is read on the 13th Sunday after
Pentecost. It is also found in Mark 12:1­9 and Luke
20:9­16.

Describe the parable. Why was it spoken by Jesus?

QUESTION 2

"There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it
round about, and dug a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to
husbandman, and went into a far country:"(Matt
21:33)

As in all parables, there is much important symbolism here. In order to
understand the inner meaning we must construct a "glossary" of symbols.

Who is the Householder?

What is the vineyard? There are two answers!

What was the expectations of the householder? Describe in spiritual
terms.

QUESTION 3

"There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it
round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to
husbandmen, and went into a far country"(Mat
21:33)

What does the hedge represent?

What does the winepress represent?

What does the tower represent?

Who did the work described, and is this significant? Why?

QUESTION 4

"There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it
round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to
husbandmen, and went into a far country"(Mat
21:33)

Who are the husbandmen? There are again two answers!

What is meant by the householder "going into a far country"?

QUESTION 5

"And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the
husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it."(Mat
21:34)

The householder ends up sending servants three times to the vineyard. In this
first attempt, it is said that "the time of the fruit drew near". This means
something very specific. What? Who are the servants?

QUESTION 6

"And the husbandman took his servants, and beat one, and killed another,
and stoned another. {36} Again, he sent other servants
more than the first: and they did to them likewise."(Matt
21:35-36)

Who are the husbandmen that so shamefully treated the householder's servants?
Give at least three REAL-LIFE examples of their activities (things that actually
happened). Hint: St Paul's later writings as well as an understanding of Old
Testament history will help quite a bit.

QUESTION 7

"But last of all he sent to them his son, saying, They will reverence my
son. {38} But when the husbandman saw the son, they said
among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on
his inheritance. {39} And they caught him, and cast him
out of the vineyard, and slew him."(Matt
21:37-39)

"Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my
beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him."(Luke 20:13)

Who is the son?

Why is the householder, Who is God, and therefore knows all things,
presented as asking a question, and showing uncertainty (in Luke's gospel)?
This question represents a very important freedom God has granted man.

What is the meaning of him being cast out of the vineyard before being
killed? This is a prophecy. Explain.

QUESTION 8

"When the lord therefore of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those
husbandmen? {41} They said to him, He will miserably
destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard to other husbandmen,
which shall render him the fruits in their seasons."(Matt
21:40-41)

When was this prophesy fulfilled in a literal sense, and how?

What are the fruits Jesus is talking about? Personalize!

QUESTION 9

"Jesus said to them, Did you never read in the Scriptures, The stone which
the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the
Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?"(Matt
21:42)

This is read VERY OFTEN in church? When? What does it mean? Who are the
builders? What (Who) is the stone? Speculate why we read this verse so often.

QUESTION 10

"And whoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomever it
shall fall, it will grind him to powder."(Matt
21:44)

A terrible, and enigmatic promise! Herein lies altogether four prophecies of
destruction. Two address the Jews directly, and among these, one was a prophecy
that was soon fulfilled for all to see. Two address every man in a spiritual way,
and only one of these "destructions" leads to eternal life. Explain.